Wayne Ridgers, Douglas Locke and James Anderson with Russell Deacon, development officer for Inverness with the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme are pictured planning an expedition to Strathspey which took place on 21st September.

MONTHS of work and effort by a group of young Merkinchers last month culminated in a final overnight expedition in Strathspey. The group of five boys - originally there were seven - met at mp33 on Saturday 21st September to set off for a weekend in the hills. In their rucksacks were everything they would need for a couple of days’ camping - including all their food! And before them were 15 miles of rough country… to be walked, with their packs on their backs.

The boys, all aged 14/15, were totally self-sufficient - no corner shops for a bag of crisps - and they spent Saturday night at the Loch an Eilean campsite, cooking their food on meths-burning stoves.

However, these lads have gained some experience after carrying out three other similar expeditions already this summer. With them was Russell Deacon, recently-appointed development officer for Inverness and Merkinch leader with the Highland Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme; Mike Dunthorne, DoE expedition organiser; Sandra Grant, recently qualified as an expedition leader, who was driving the bus; and Suzy Pryor who is an assessor for the Duke of Edinburgh Awards and has six years‘ experience with the Scheme.

Russell Deacon is already well known to Merkinch youngsters through his youth work at mp33. He grew up in Inverness and went to Millburn Academy before going on to Stirling University. There he studied Psychology before returning to do Forestry at Inverness College. Besides his work at mp33 - he is usually there on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons - Russell also works at Crown Youth Café and at Cameron Youth Club where he is based. He teaches the Chinese discipline of Tai Chi as well as Yoga at Inverness sports Centre, and is a qualified Archery instructor.

The Merkinch group of the DoE Award Scheme was set up last year by the then development officer Barry Abbot of Lochalsh Road through the auspices of mp33, meeting at Merkinch Community Centre. He has since retired abroad and James Deverill succeeded him for a while before Russell was appointed. He works with the numerous DoE groups operating throughout Inverness, based in uniformed organisations and the various secondary schools, helping with training and fielding any queries that may arise.

The Awards Scheme Scottish HQ is in Edinburgh and Highland Council is authorised to operate it throughout the Highlands.

The Scheme covers four distinct areas: Service, Skills (of practical or social value), Physical/Recreation and Expeditions. So far the Merkinch group are only tackling the Expeditions Category, and hope that their efforts this summer will gain them a Bronze Award.

As with so many valuable projects to do with young people, the Duke of Edinburgh Awards Scheme needs the support of the community - that is volunteers who can lend their knowledge, skills and time to help with this work. Volunteers don’t have to be qualified - just willing to work with young people. If you are interested in contributing, contact Russell at mp33, telephone (01463) 717639.